The Power

DateLine (8/9/06 – Ponce, PR)

A few months ago Harriett and I were in WalMart for our weekly compulsory visits. I love to hate WalMart, but that’s another topic. I had worn out my “traveling” toothbrush that I carry with me on business trips and needed a replacement. I commenced to examine the myriad of options presented on the “tooth care” aisle. I was immediately struck with the number of toothbrush choices. I had to look at each model, make note of the features and do a mental comparison analysis with every other toothbrush that I had examined on the aisle.

During this exercise I ran across a fascinating model that on first glance was a little larger in the handle and had several different types of bristles. This was it, the large handle would make it easy to manipulate at 6 o’clock in the morning when necessity is in front of dexterity and the bristle design had to be more efficient than the old toothbrushes that the dentist used to give you if you survived your checkup. One final feature sealed the deal, it was an electric toothbrush. Embedded in the sculpted handle were two buttons; one off and one on. Upon closer examination the larger handle served to conceal a battery. There, it’s done, analysis complete, put it in the buggy,

Fast forward a few hours to the arrival home. I was unpacking my new gem of a brush when something caught my eye. The new brush was similar to the brush I keep in the bathroom cabinet for home use; no it was the exact same model. Now here’s the kicker. I had been using exactly the same style brush at home for months and had never even noticed that it was an electric toothbrush. I had faithfully used it every day with good old fashioned elbow grease. Wait a minute – get the irony of this. Here is a person who prides himself on technical competence – I’m a technology consultant for crying out loud – and I had just proven that I could not conquer toothbrush technology. I had totally overlooked one of the essential benefits of owning the toothbrush

Many people treat their relationship with God like I did my toothbrush. There is a radical power that indwells every Christian, the very presence of God. This presence can be ignored or we can tap into it for life transforming power. Some of us have never spent the time examining our relationship with God to realize that we have it. That must have been my problem with the toothbrush; a casual inspection then a quick toss into the cabinet.

I’m very sad to say based on my observation over the years that many people who taste of God via salvation never really mature into a power-packed servant of God. They never punch the “on” button. They languish underutilized on God’s shelf for years as immature Christians. You know something else that happened with my toothbrush. As soon as I “discovered” that it had additional capabilities I started to use the power. To my dismay after just a few weeks, the power had left – the battery had lost its power over time even though I never received the benefit.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12.

With all that is within me, to you the child of God, discover the power within.